Can A Bath Of Milk And Honey Replace Female Genital Mutilation?
The chief of the U.N. has called for a "better way" to mark the coming-of-age of girls. Some communities are paving the way with a new kind of ritual.
Asia
As A Japanese Mountain Village Shrinks, So Do Its Prospects For Kabuki
For more than 300 years, children have performed kabuki, Japan's classical theater, in the village of Damine. But as residents age or leave for cities, Damine is running out of young performers.
What It's Like To Be Young And Male In Pakistan
Young people's attitude toward sex and relationships is profoundly unhealthy, a study shows. Attention has been paid to women's issues but less so about how young men learn to interact with women.
China To Shut Down Hundreds Of Coal Mines In 2016
China is the world's top coal consumer but slow economic growth and pollution concerns are lessening demand. Chinese energy officials say more than 1,000 coal mines will be closed this year.
From Milan To Tehran: Luxury Fashion House Robert Cavalli Struts Into Iran Market
It's one of the first luxury brands to formally enter the Iranian market since Iran curbed its nuclear program enough to trigger sanctions relief last month.
India Sends Soldiers To Area Of Caste Protest; At Least 10 Dead
Jats make up more than a quarter of the 80 million people in the state of Haryana. They want to be included in the official category of "Other Backward Classes," which would bring benefits.
Gross National Happiness: Bhutan's Unique Measurement
Bhutan's prime minister, Tshering Tobgay, talks about tackling climate change, economic development and how to measure happiness.
A $2 Test Might Have Helped This Man With HIV Avoid Daily Spinal Taps
A fungal disease can rob people with HIV of sight and hearing, cause painful headaches, even kill them. A test could detect the disease early enough to wipe it out. So why isn't the test in wide use?
Breaking The North Korean Information Blockade
North Koreans know little about the outside world. Activists are smuggling in flash drives — loaded with documentaries, TV shows and Wikipedia — to help change that.
Sedition Charge Divides India As Protests Continue
Academics and students say glorifying a Kashmiri separatist is free speech. But conservative supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi say "speech against our country" shouldn't be allowed.